Winterlude visitors like it cold and snowy: Thousands descend on Snow Kingdom to enjoy slippery slides and sweet treats
Katia Dmitrieva, The Ottawa Citizen
Winterlude is a veritable rite of passage for Ottawans and creates fond memories for years to come.
But what if the white playground of ice sculptures, snowy slides, and the winding Rideau Canal Skateway were a little bit greener?
Festival organizers are finding it more difficult each year to maintain the winter wonderland as climate change takes its hold over the season.
“Winterlude in Ottawa is all about having the snow, the slides, and the ice sculptures,” said Adam Mullins, who spent the day with nine family members, including his wife, Cara, and two children. “If that would change, it would take away from the tradition.”
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Winterlude visitors like it cold and snowy
Thousands came to the opening weekend of Winterlude, taking in skating, ice sculpting, sledding and more. Residents and visitors alike had a hoot on the icy hills in the Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau.
Photo Courtesy of Julie Oliver, The Ottawa Citizen
Winterlude Weekend 1 Highlights: Capital Region’s winter celebration set to kick off with skating, sliding, ice carvings and the American Express® Winterlude Opening
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is ready to welcome residents and visitors for the 34th edition of Winterlude, which starts Friday, February 3, 2012. Over three weeks, until February 20, Canada’s Capital Region will be the ideal destination to discover Canadian winter traditions through a wide variety of cultural, sport, culinary and family activities.
Here is a snapshot of the activities taking place during the first weekend of Winterlude.
American Express® Winterlude Opening
Friday, February 3, Canadian Museum of Civilization
The celebration officially kicks off with the American Express® Winterlude Opening at 8:30 pm at the Canadian Museum of Civilization on February 3rd. The program will feature special lighting effects, historical characters and drummers, storytelling around cozy fire pits, an outdoor DJ dance party, and, at 9 pm, a fireworks extravaganza.
Visitors can take advantage of free admission on February 3, from 5 pm to 11 pm, to explore the museum’s many exhibits and enjoy special programming.
The event will also be celebrated at Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, which will remain open until 9:30 pm, offering another perfect vantage point to enjoy the evening’s fireworks.
Rogers Crystal Garden in Confederation Park
“Northern Passion” carved in ice
This weekend, there are plenty of chances to watch ice carvers from around the world create their crystalline masterpieces at Confederation Park. These include the Rogers One-Block Challenge on Friday, February 3 from 8 am to 10 am (Awards Ceremony: 5 pm), and the 25th Rogers International Ice-Carving Competition, where professional carvers from around the world put their talent to the test throughout the weekend (People’s Choice Online Voting Contest starts Sunday, February 5 at 6 pm).
On opening weekend, visitors to Rogers Crystal Garden will also have the opportunity to:
- visit an authentic Sami Lavvu from northern Norway;
- discover BlizzArt, an outdoor gallery featuring unique Canadian work of art;
- meet artists from northern Canada and see them perform in the Rogers Crystal Globe;
- groove to the tunes of the Sub-Zero Music Series;
- celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in ice and photos;
- learn about ephemeral art and create their own sculpture;
- experience the Yukon through the eyes of talented artists;
- find out more about the great Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, and his expedition through the Northwest Passage.
The public can start off their first Winterlude weekend with a delicious (and free!) pancake and hot chocolate breakfast at 10 am on Saturday, February 4, during the Eighth Annual Enbridge Pancake Breakfast (Festival Plaza at Ottawa City Hall, across from Confederation Park). While supplies last.
Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau
Let the adventure begin — with the Ice Hog Family!
Presented by the Ville de Gatineau and the NCC, young and the young at heart alike will enjoy playing in this frosty paradise of giant snow slides. The fun begins on Friday, February 3, at 10:30 am, when Mama and Papa Ice Hog, and twins Noumi and Nouma, join the crowd for the official launch of Snowflake Kingdom – North America’s biggest snow playground.
On Winterlude’s first weekend, visitors will have the chance to:
- find their way through the A-maze-ing Fort Wellington;
- learn about the life of the people who lived in 1812 through interpretation, demonstrations and games;
- take part in a day in the life of a Coast Guard employee;
- test their physical fitness in the Canadian Forces Winter Obstacle Course;
- experience downhill skiing with qualified instructors;
- feel the rhythm at the Snowflake Stage featuring talented performers and acrobatic stunts;
- celebrate Yukon Days with performances and snow sculptures;
- visit the Adventure Zone, where they can try Jumpaï trampolines, rock climbing and catch a lift in a tethered hot air balloon (Feb. 3).
The Rideau Canal Skateway
Celebrating 42 seasons of skating
Each winter, the NCC transforms the Rideau Canal into the world’s largest skating rink, which was officially recognized as such in 2005 by Guinness World Records™. The Rideau Canal Skateway is centre stage for many activities during Winterlude. For the celebration’s opening weekend, the world-famous ice surface will host the 29th Annual Winterlude Triathlon and the 32nd Annual Accora Village Bed Race which take place at Dows Lake this Saturday. In addition to pioneer activities and crafts that take place this weekend at Bronson Avenue with the Canada Agriculture Museum, throughout Winterlude visitors to the Skateway will have the opportunity to:
- discover Portraits on the Ice, an outdoor art gallery presented by Library and Archives Canada, which this season commemorates the War of 1812;
- see Fire Weavers and other talented acts at the WestJet Fun ‘n Festival Zone;
- enjoy culinary demonstrations and sample creative Canadian dishes in the American Express Lounge at Fifth Avenue;
- sign up for a free 45-minute Subway® Learn to Skate session;
- take in storytelling theatre, traditional dances, songs and hand drumming with Aboriginal Experiences at Pig Island;
- and much, much more!
Programming Partners
Truly making Winterlude the Capital Region’s winter celebration
For the 34th edition of Winterlude, more than 50 programming partners, from Ottawa and Gatineau’s private and public sectors, have come together to offer visitors a wide-range of indoor and outdoor activities aimed at animating the Capital like never before. Here is just a sampling of what takes place on the first weekend of Winterlude:
- 21st Annual ByWard Market Stew Cook-Off;
- the first annual Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival;
- Cool Science Saturday at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum;
- Northern Lights 2012: Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase;
- Ottawa Theatres Present Paul Brandt at Centrepointe Theatre;
- CARTE BLANCHE with Jean-Claude Marcus and Samuel Boivin-Provost presented by the Ville de Gatineau;
- The Mighty Popo: Gakondo is presented by the Ville de Gatineau;
- Downtown Rideau CHILL FACTOR.
For more information about Winterlude, please contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at Winterlude.gc.ca.
Countdown is on to the Biggest Birthday Celebration in the Country
Celebrate Canada Day at the Capital’s official sites
[Source: press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ─ With one month to go until Canada’s 144th birthday, the National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce celebration details for two of the three official sites for Canada Day festivities in the Capital: Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa, and Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau. Celebration plans for the iconic heart of the party, Parliament Hill, with Their Royal Highnesses, Prince William and Catherine, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will be shared soon.
The 2011 Canada Day activities will celebrate the Centennial of Parks Canada, the oldest national parks service in the world, the 120th anniversary of the Canadian invention of basketball and the 150th anniversary of the birth of its inventor, Dr. James Naismith, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Ballet of Canada, and will highlight three of Canada’s Cultural Capitals for 2011, the City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the City of Lévis, Québec, and the City of Vancouver, British Columbia. The day will culminate in a breathtaking fireworks display.
“Canada’s Capital is an inspiring reflection of the people, values and achievements of this country, and no day is that more evident than on Canada Day,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “On July 1, the Capital will undoubtedly be the ideal place to have a memorable, Canadian experience.”
WINTERLUDE’S ICE HOG FAMILY WELCOMES BONHOMME CARNAVAL TO CANADA’S CAPITAL REGION
The National Capital Commission (NCC) welcomed today the Ice Hog family, Winterlude’s official mascots, to Canada’s Capital Region. Papa and Mama Ice Hog and their twins Nouma and Noumi arrived at the Capital Infocentre accompanied by their winter friend from Québec City, Bonhomme Carnaval.
“The reunion between the Ice Hog family and Bonhomme Carnaval reflects the spirit of collaboration that has existed for several years between two major Canadian winter celebrations,” said the CEO of the NCC, Marie Lemay. “This reunion also demonstrates the strong relationship between members of the Canadian Urban Winter Festivals Coalition.”
“The Québec Winter Carnival is proud to have created a coalition comprised of dynamic and professional people who want to focus on raising Canada’s visibility around the world,” said Jean Pelletier, Executive Director of the Québec Winter Carnival. “The Canadian Urban Winter Festivals Coalition is an integral part of our desire to promote the development of powerfully attractive Canadian tourism events.”
Ottawa snow carvers take third place at Winterlude
By Mark Brownlee
The Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — With amateur skaters taking to the world’s largest skating rink nearby and Canada’s best taking to the speed skating track in Vancouver, it seemed like a fitting choice for best sculpture at this year’s Winterlude competition.
A pair of gigantic hockey skates, carved out of snow by the team from Alberta, won best sculpture at this year’s Winterlude competition Saturday afternoon at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau.
“There’s lots of beautiful stuff here and lots of creative people and they do wonderful things so you never know what’s going to happen with the voting, so it’s hard to win,” said team member Eric Burton.
The team members — Burton, Brian McArthur, and Michael Decaire — weren’t afraid to put their feet where their inspiration was either, as they took to the Rideau Canal themselves only a short time before winning the prize.
“We skate at home all the time and really enjoy going out and skating and think many people do,” said team captain McArthur. “It’s such a quintessential part of our winters that we thought it’d be nice to memorialize and make a big sculpture about skates.”
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Locals find family fun at Winterlude
TRACEY TONG
METRO OTTAWA
Winterlude may be known for bringing tens of thousands of people to Ottawa every year, but it also gives locals a chance to find entertainment right in their own backyard.
Family Day long weekend brought thousands of locals to Winterlude’s three sites, including the Rideau Canal Skateway, Confederation Park and Jacques-Cartier Park yesterday.
“Last year was a bad time for the economy,” said Ottawa resident Jennifer Parker. “I think a lot of families are really glad for quality activities they can take their kids to easily, that the kids will actually enjoy, and that won’t break the bank.
“Children shouldn’t have to miss out because the economy was in a slump.”
Parker and her husband brought their kids to Jacques-Cartier Park yesterday, where there were snow slides and ice fishing events.
Ottawa resident Becky Draper has enjoyed skating on the canal and Beavertails during Winterlude for years, but this year was extra special — it marked the first Winterlude for her year-old son.
City resident Jim Shivas never misses Winterlude. His favourite activities include skating on the canal and checking out the ice sculptures. The weather was perfect for winter fun this weekend, he said.
“As long as you can still see the stuff and go skating, that’s what matters to me,” he said. “I’d come out at -20.”
Bernadette Bailey and her daughter, Hannah, take advantage of Winterlude offerings by playing host to out-of-town friends and family every February.
While some people never miss Winterlude, other residents discovered it for the first time.
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Winterlude Urban Cozy Project – Call for Submissions
TRACEY TONG
METRO OTTAWA
When the temperature drops, people aren’t the only ones bundling up against the cold.
The Winterlude Urban Cozy Project will see residents dressing up trees, signposts, park benches and lampposts at Confederation Park and Jacques-Cartier Park with urban art.
“We’re trying to bring out the creative side of Ottawa and getting people to contribute pieces to transform Ottawa’s landscape,” said Spins and Needles co-founder Melanie Yugo, who is collaborating with the National Capital Commission on the project.
Submissions can be brought to the Crystal Lounge at Confederation Park from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12.
To read the full article, click here.
WINTERLUDE’S SUN LIFE SNOWFLAKE KINGDOM WELCOMES THE YOUNG AND THE YOUNG AT HEART
This morning, the National Capital Commission (NCC) and Ville de Gatineau, accompanied by special guests and Winterlude mascots, the Ice Hog family, officially opened Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom. Located in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, this enchanting site will welcome the young and the young at heart during Winterlude, from February 5 to 21, 2010.
“Gatineau is very happy to welcome the biggest snow playground on the continent. This year once again, thousands of visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park will get to shoot down some 30 giant slides and enjoy snow sculptures. Winterlude is the best family celebration of the winter, and an excellent opportunity for visitors to discover and appreciate our city,” declared Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau.
“In one week’s time, Canada will be hosting the Olympic Winter Games, and the NCC is proud to highlight this Canadian event in many of its Winterlude activities; visitors to Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom and Winterlude’s other official sites will be able to discover more about winter fun in Canada and about Olympic sports,” said Guy Laflamme, Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing of the NCC.
With gigantic snow slides and a huge snow maze dedicated to Olympic sports, Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom will truly be celebrating winter fun. Visitors will be amazed by the ski and snowboard trampoline show, featuring Canadian ski and snowboard athletes performing impressive aerial feats on the trampoline.
Visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park are also invited to stop in at Place Gatineau, a play area presented by the Ville de Gatineau, which offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, including kite flying, Arctic sports and snow volleyball.
Once again this year, visitors can try their luck at ice fishing, thanks to the collaboration of CREDDO (Conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable de l’Outaouais). During the first weekend of Winterlude, young people aged 8 to 12 can participate in an introductory fishing workshop and, during the second and third Winterlude weekends, ice fishing will be open for all to try.
The National Snow Sculpture Competition, presented in collaboration with the Ville de Gatineau, is a favourite activity among visitors to Winterlude. Teams of sculptors representing Canada’s provinces and territories will take on the challenge of transforming giant blocks of snow (3.7 metres x 4.9 metres x 3.7 metres) into larger-than-life works of art, inspired by the theme “Winter Fun.” As of the second weekend of Winterlude, the public will be able to admire these amazing sculptures.
The Canadian Forces are proud to be participating in the Winterlude 2010 celebrations. Visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park will have an opportunity to meet members of the Canadian military and learn about what they do in different parts of the world and in Canada’s North. People can test their skills in the cold weather by participating in a 30-metre (100-foot) obstacle course requiring strength and coordination. Exhibit areas will be open to the public Fridays to Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm, during the three Winterlude weekends.
Knitting is back in style! Visitors can warm up at the Maison Charron and groove to the sounds of the DJ — while helping to create an original work of art that will be displayed in the Park. Urban Knitting will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 4 pm.
Everyone is invited to join us for a memorable evening under the stars for the Sun Life Movie Nights. A series of winter-inspired, short animated films will be presented on a giant snow screen on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 6:30 pm. On Saturday, February 6, Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film La Guerre des tuques.
Visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park will also have an opportunity to meet the Ice Hog family, get one of their famous Ice Hog hugs and see the new show Topsy-Turvy (11:30 am and 1 pm), an acrobatic, circus-inspired show featuring Papa Ice Hog and the duo Circ-u-l’air at the Sun Life Stage. Other exciting shows will also be presented at the Sun Life Stage. During the first weekend, visitors will discover the unexpected and exceptional adventures of Arthur L’aventurier. (2:30 pm, 4 pm, French only show)
Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom will be open Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, from 9 am to 8 pm (except Sunday, February 21, until 6 pm) and Fridays and Saturdays, from 9 am to 9 pm (except Friday, February 5, until 10 pm). During Quebec’s professional development day (Monday, February 8) and Ontario’s Family Day (Monday, February 15), the Park will be open from 9 am to 8 pm.
For more information about activities at Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom, please contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or the Ville de Gatineau at 3-1-1. To find out more about programming for Winterlude 2010, visit the following websites: Winterlude.gc.ca or www.gatineau.ca/winterlude.
The NCC and the Ville de Gatineau are proud to be working together with Sun Life and First Air.
